How many people pull a Reflection 303RLS with a 3/4 truck?

**Rgpracer** · 10-26-2021, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by luvmyrv

Does the 3500 GM/Chevy have a higher payload than a 3500 Ram? Does anybody know if there is a significant higher payload in a 3500 vs 2500? I have been contemplating upgrading my 2016 Duramax, primarily because I want to get away from the dreaded CP4 fuel pump, but that's a topic for another thread... came across a 2021 Ram 2500 Laramie with the Cummins today but it only has a payload of 1991 lbs.... that's just too low, and 336 lbs less than my current Duramax.

Luvmyrv....my 2020 Ram 2500 only has 2010 payload.....still technically not enough.

**WhittleBurner** · 10-27-2021, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by luvmyrv

Does the 3500 GM/Chevy have a higher payload than a 3500 Ram? Does anybody know if there is a significant higher payload in a 3500 vs 2500? I have been contemplating upgrading my 2016 Duramax, primarily because I want to get away from the dreaded CP4 fuel pump, but that's a topic for another thread... came across a 2021 Ram 2500 Laramie with the Cummins today but it only has a payload of 1991 lbs.... that's just too low, and 336 lbs less than my current Duramax.

GM went to the Benson fuel pump in 2017. From the sounds of things it has been a good one.

**Wileykid** · 10-27-2021, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by luvmyrv

Does the 3500 GM/Chevy have a higher payload than a 3500 Ram? Does anybody know if there is a significant higher payload in a 3500 vs 2500? I have been contemplating upgrading my 2016 Duramax, primarily because I want to get away from the dreaded CP4 fuel pump, but that's a topic for another thread... came across a 2021 Ram 2500 Laramie with the Cummins today but it only has a payload of 1991 lbs.... that's just too low, and 336 lbs less than my current Duramax.

I did a lot of looking around the first part of the year on the 3500's, thinking about replacing my short bed RAM 3500 diesel with a long bed. My truck is a tool, and I look at the truck for what I want, not who's brand it is. I found that RAM has the best payload of the three, with Chevy and Ford about equal and usually a couple of hundred pounds less with equal equipment. Main reason is RAM has a higher GVWR, my 3500 short bed has a 11,800 GVWR giving me a payload of 3750, it is a Laramie with a sunroof and the HO/Aisin. Counter that with RAM has the shortest bed, and wheelbase.

Looking at everything, unscientifically, I found the GMC/Chevy had the best payload for the 2500, RAM for the 3500 SRW, and all of them for the dually, as they all use the same GVWR and it comes down if you put the kitchen sink option in.

**Wileykid** · 10-27-2021, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Rgpracer

I am same boat but have decided that HO will pull easier, hence gas millage will be a skosh better.
I will do a 3500, but, now considering the 3500 Denali with Duramax.....desicions desicions.

Not true. The HO uses a larger injector, and comparing my 3500 HO with several other 3500 SO pulling 15K lbs, I am usually about 2-3 mpg less. Unloaded it can be 3-4 mpg less. But the HO, of course is more capable, but for me, not really needed for about 15K lb trailer or less.

**luvmyrv** · 10-27-2021, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by WhittleBurner

GM went to the Benson fuel pump in 2017. From the sounds of things it has been a good one.

Yes....GM finally parted ways with the dreaded CP4 in 2017, at the same time that they made other changes to the Duramax. If only I had waited another year back then!

**luvmyrv** · 10-27-2021, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Rgpracer

Luvmyrv....my 2020 Ram 2500 only has 2010 payload.....still technically not enough.

OK... so when you say in your other posts that you are slightly over payload, you're not kidding! I can see why you're shopping!

**Rgpracer** · 10-27-2021, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Wileykid

I did a lot of looking around the first part of the year on the 3500's, thinking about replacing my short bed RAM 3500 diesel with a long bed. My truck is a tool, and I look at the truck for what I want, not who's brand it is. I found that RAM has the best payload of the three, with Chevy and Ford about equal and usually a couple of hundred pounds less with equal equipment. Main reason is RAM has a higher GVWR, my 3500 short bed has a 11,800 GVWR giving me a payload of 3750, it is a Laramie with a sunroof and the HO/Aisin. Counter that with RAM has the shortest bed, and wheelbase.

Looking at everything, unscientifically, I found the GMC/Chevy had the best payload for the 2500, RAM for the 3500 SRW, and all of them for the dually, as they all use the same GVWR and it comes down if you put the kitchen sink option in.

Agree 100% Wiley
Thanks for your input.

**Lance Glogowsky** · 10-29-2021, 01:14 AM

I’m considering ordering a Ram 3500 Diesel HO short bed crew cab for my 303 like you have. Short bed fits in my garage compared to a long bed. I now have a 15 ram 2500 standard diesel short bed. Last week drove from Provo Utah to St. George getting about 11 mpg and back getting about 8+ mpg uphill. Do you think the 3500 HO would give me worse gas mileage or better because of less stress on the engine?. I know I would be in my payload weight a lot better. Are you saying the 3500 HO would be better for a trailer exceeding 15000 pounds? Then maybe a standard diesel for under 15000? Were you saying worse MPG when not pulling a trailer with a 3500 HO?

**Lance Glogowsky** · 10-29-2021, 01:17 AM

I missed up. My previous post was for Wileykid. I’ll take anyone’s input.
Thanks

Lance

**Wileykid** · 10-29-2021, 08:49 AM

One would think that with the bigger engine, it would use less energy, hence less fuel, but problem with our trucks is we are still moving "X" amount of weight, and both engines need to produce a minimum of "X" power. While it is easier with the additional power of the HO, it takes more to run all the bigger stuff in the HO, and it is a heavier engine and tranny (around 250 lbs heavier then the SO/68RFE). At some point it would be true that the HO should get better fuel mileage because of that, we just are not at that point in what we pull.

IMHO, loads under around 15-16,000 lbs do not need the HO as the SO is more than capable. Above that, the HO moves the weight better, although the SO will still do the job. If you are using the truck as a daily driver, or limited towing, the 68RFE tranny shifts a lot smoother than the Aisin.

Of course if you want to tackle any mountain with enough power to almost laugh at it, the HO is for you.

I bought the HO, because I wanted the bigger engine, not that I really needed it, and the approximately 2 mpg less pulling, and 4 unloaded is my penalty. I do keep an eye on the other brands with the 10 spd trannys, but so far they do not have the payload in the SRW short bed I need like the RAM has. They do have similar power capability, and coupled with the 10 spd, it gives them a lot better fuel mileage, and tranny shifting.

Edit: Just to add, if you can, the 3500 in either flavor would be great for you. Unless you get a truck with every option, worrying about weight will be a thing of the past with your trailer. My truck is a Laramie (4x4) with an aftermarket 48 gallon fuel tank (replaced 32 gallon OEM), and with me, full fuel, and hitch (180 lbs), I still have 3,200 lbs of payload (3750 lb sticker).